It’s another episode of Aussie Hoopla and Dan Boyce has put together a double-header of NBL legends. Former Sydney King Ben Madgen joins us all the way from Lithuania to start and we finish with an interview with former Denver Nuggets and Perth Wildcats star Todd Lichti.

The last time Ben Madgen joined us on the show he had decided to leave Australia and try his chances in Europe. The former Kings captain wasn’t sure where he’d end up but after an amazing season in Belgium where he led the league in scoring and now playing with Lithuanian side Panevezys Lietkabelis we get to revisit Ben’s European adventure and everything that’s happened since.

Topics include;

How European basketball structure is different to the NBL

What he thinks about how Larry Kestelman has changed the league since his departure

Thoughts on Andrew Gaze coaching the Sydney Kings

His plans on playing FIBA World Cup Qualifiers for Australia and if he feels he needs to return to Australia soon in order to do that.

Ben also speaks about recently becoming a father and how it’s changed him as a person.

We then catch-up with Todd Lichti who played 237 NBA games before joining his friend Andrew Vlahov on the court for the Perth Wildcats.

After being selected with 15th pick in the 1989 NBA draft Lichti spent four yeas with the Denver Nuggets and faced a who’s who of NBA stars. We get his opinions on playing with guys like Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Dikembe Mutumbo, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal.

Finally, Todd’s shares with us what it was like to guard Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and even shares a hilarious story about guarding Michael Jordan and the strategies he used to shut him down.

Other topics include;

His friendship with Andrew Vlahov and memories of their time at Stanford.

Being the last player cut from the 1988 and what he thinks of Andrew Vlahov saying that if the USA had of taken Todd to the Olympics they would have won gold instead of bronze.

The high-octane offence that the 1990’s Denver Nugget teams played and how that achieved success.

What was former Adelaide 36ers star Kevin Brooks like as a teammate during their time at the Denver Nuggets

What playing for Perth meant to him at a time when he had given up basketball altogether

Todd also shares an incredibly personal story about a horrific car crash which cost him the girl he intended to marry and changed his basketball career forever.

Episode 88: BIGV 2017 Mid-Season Review
With BigV Communications Coordinator Steve ChalmersTopics discussed include;
A brief round up on what’s happened so far in state league basketball in Victoria.
The players to look out for this season and who could go on to bigger and better things in the future.
What types of imports are currently in the BIGV who could be playing in the NBL.
How basketball is currently growing at a grassroots level in Victoria.

Episode 87: Al Green (Adelaide Basketball Legend)
2x NBL Champion and NBL Hall Of FamerTopics discussed include;
Facing racial attacks from the Ku Klux Klan which included seeing burning crosses on the way to games and once having a shotgun held to his head. Al talks about how he won the Stawell Gift and how he almost represented Australia in the Commonwealth Games in 100m sprint and did you know Al Green was the reason Magic Johnson played college basketball for Michigan State instead of North Carolina State, he explains how that went down.

Episode 86: NBL Off-Season Review
Feat. Aussie Hoopla Writing StaffThe Aussie Hoopla team review each NBL team’s current rosters. Topics include will NBL teams continue to play with three imports per team, What does Dean Vickerman’s signing means for this Melbourne United and how will Corey Webster fare this year and is a move to Perth enough to get him back to his top form?

Episode 85: Andrew Gaze
The Greatest Player in NBL HistoryTopics discussed include;
Julian Khazzouh leaving for Lebanon, what types of imports the Kings need for 2017-18, the possibility the Kings run with an All-Australian backcourt and what leagues are the best to find quality NBL imports?

Episode 84: Dean Vickerman
Melbourne United Head CoachTopics discussed include;
What needs to change for the United to be successful in 2017-18, the return of Josh Boone and what that means for the team, will last years star import Casper Ware be returning and what can we expect from Craig Moller this season.

Episode 83: Josh Childress
Former Sydney Kings ImportTopics discussed include;
How Josh Childress hopes to play in the NBL in 2017-18, why he chose to play at Stanford University, memories of playing in the McDonalds HS All-American Game and why he loved playing in Sydney

Episode 82: Jeremy Kendle
Former Brisbane Bullets ImportTopics discussed include;
Fitting into an NBL team mid-season, the biggest adjustment when making the move from SEABL to the NBL, why he thinks he can play in the NBL again and what he needs to work on ensure he can make it back to the NBL

Episode 50: Terry Dozier
3x NBL Defensive Player of the Year
Terry Dozier played four seasons in the NBL between 1991-1994. During those three seasons he brought a defensive tenacity that saw him claim the NBL defensive player of the year trophy three consecutive times

Episode 49: Chris Anstey
1996 SE Melbourne Magic Championship 20 Year Anniversary
It's been 20 years since the South East Melbourne Magic became NBL champions. We sit down with Chris Anstey, a vital piece of that team to take a look back at the players, opponents, hurdles and highlights of the season that was.

Episode 48: Kavossy Franklin 2003 NBL Champion
Kavossy Franklin spent almost a decade running up and down the hardwood floors across Australia’s NBL competition. The feisty point guard with what seemed like jet propulsion will be fondly remembered by Sydney Kings faithful as part of the core unit who captured the city’s first NBL championship.

Episode 47: Rob Honan Townsville Crocodiles GM
Only 9 months ago the Townsville Crocodiles went into voluntary administration and were headed towards extinction. Prior to that the team had not finished higher than bottom two on the NBL ladder since 2009/10. It’s been a tough road for fans of the Townsville Crocodiles the past few years to say very little. Enter new General Manager Robert Honan, the man tasked with turning all of this around.

Episode 46: Scott FisherNBL Hall of Famer
Scott Fisher was one of the finest imports Australia has ever seen. Being a part of not only one of the greatest NBL import duo’s when he paired with Tim Dillon in North Melbourne) but then again when he joined Ricky Grace in Perth, you’d have to question whether anyone they paired Scott Fisher with would have become a dynamic import duo.

Episode 45: Corey "Homicide" WilliamsNBL & Streetball Legend
For four straight years Corey “Homicide” Williams entertained NBL fans like few imports ever did before. Be it through his on court demeanor, his incessant twitter promotion or trash talking opposition players, fans or even the media at time he created a reaction. So we got him on the podcast

Episode 44: Ryan BroekhoffLokomotive Kuban
Fresh from signing a contract with Euroleague team Lokomotiv Kuban, Frankston Blues junior Ryan Broekhoff joins the Aussie Hoopla podcast to give us the update on moving to Russia, his new team and current training regime

Episode 43: Igor Hadziomerovic
Melbourne United Rookie
I was (most) excited to play against Perth with Hugh (Greenwood) being there but kudos to him, you’ve got to follow what your heart says. It’s a bit rough because I thought he could have brought a lot to the sport of basketball but it would have been nice to play against him. - Igor Hadziomerovic on who he is most excited to play against this NBL season

Episode 43: Building a Basketball League
The Champions League Basketball concept was born in 2014. Since then, Co-Founder Matthew Hollard has brought together an Executive Team and an Advisory Team and has already begun connecting with fans in order to see this new league debut in May 2017.

Episode 42: Bruce Bolden
Sydney Kings & West Sydney Razorbacks Legend
“I assumed I would be playing near Melbourne, around Dandenong I look behind me and see there’s no more city, no more buildings, no more high rises, I point in the opposite direction and say “Hey Melbourne is back there, where are we going”, one of the ladies say “Bruce we’re going to Traralgon it’s 2 hours away” I said “uh ok, so we’re not staying in Melbourne” and they said to me “No, but Traralgon is just as good as Melbourne" - Bruce Bolden shares his recollection of his first day in Australia

Episode 41: Nik Popovic
NBL Strength and Conditioning Coach
“Brian gave me a call, and he was very intense in what was saying and it was about what he wanted for the week preparing for the game. I said no worries and then all of a sudden I could tell he wasn’t listening to what I was saying so I said Brian are you ok and he said Pop hang on a minute I can’t find my phone, I started laughing and then said Brian you’re on it" - Nik Popovic shares an insight into how intense Brian Goorjian was as a head coach

Episode 40: Chris Goulding
Melbourne United
“I don’t look back at that game fondly" - Chris Goulding on Australia's alleged "tanking" at the 2014 FIBA World Championships.

Episode 39: Tony Ronaldson
Winningest Player in NBL History
They used to sit (Lanard) a lot… and I used to think why is he off the court… and i could tell it used to eat him up. So during free throws I go over to him while I was still on the court and say “why you over there… you scared?” and it would piss him off so bad - Ricky Grace gives a little insight in to the verbal battles he and Lanard Copeland had during the 1990’s

Episode 38: Ricky Grace
Perth Wildcats Legend
They used to sit (Lanard) a lot… and I used to think why is he off the court… and i could tell it used to eat him up. So during free throws I go over to him while I was still on the court and say “why you over there… you scared?” and it would piss him off so bad - Ricky Grace gives a little insight in to the verbal battles he and Lanard Copeland had during the 1990’s

Hyping the Hoopla
"The $6 Million Question"
Boti Nagy and Mookie Schiralli join Dan Boyce on a special "Journo's" only podcast where they discuss the recent $6 million dollar purchase of the NBL by Larry Kestleman.

Episode 37: Ben Madgen
Sydney Kings Captain
“(Laughs) I'd say Josh Childress, he has a few businesses going on, Jacob Holmes he's studying law he'd be a good asset, Jesse Wagstaff and Cam Tovey, he's not in the league any more but he was pretty cluey" - Ben Madgen gives his thoughts on who would join him on an NBL All-Academic team

Episode 36: CJ Bruton
6 Time NBL Champion
We agreed to call team USA by their numbers, so we came out I had Jason Kidd so I said I got 5, someone else said I got 7, another I got 9 and Kobe was on the foul line and he says, you know my name, just say my name so I said no one cares about your name, but you’re gonna take this ass whupping real quick and we hit the next basket, then I said you can say our names anytime you feel like it“ - CJ Bruton shares stories of playing against the Team USA’s “Redeem Team” at the 2008 Olympics.

Episode 35: Adrian Hurley
Basketball Australia Hall of Famer
“I think there are fundamental things wrong, basketball is attacking the problems from the wrong end, attacking it from clubs, the micro, when it needs to be attacked from Basketball Australia and the NBL, the macro" - Dr. Adrian Hurley discusses fundamental issues with the current structure of the NBL.

Episode 34: CJ Bruton
6 Time NBL Champion
“Nice haircut, you trying to be like me?" "You skinny, black runt, what are you talking about, I'm not trying to be you, I'm 6'1" and all of me... All Aussie" "Well you're nothing like Luc", "Well you're nothing like Jordan" - CJ Bruton shares banter from his days in Portland with Scottie Pippen.

Episode 33: Stephen Jackson
Sydney Kings Legend
“I have just as many fans as Kobe, Lebron and D.Wade, its just my fans cant afford to get tickets to the games, that's why you'll see me in places where you don't see too many celebrities because I like to connect with the real people" - Stephen Jackson discusses how the fans see him.

Episode 32: Isaac Burton
Sydney Kings Legend
“They still let me play basketball (while I was n jail). One time I had a one o'clock game then I had to check into jail at six o'clock that night and I was watching my highlights in jail that night" - Isaac Burton talks about playing basketball for the Las Vegas Silver Bandits during the time he serving a prison sentence.

Episode 31: Brett Maher
Adelaide 36ers Legend
“Adrian Hurley brought Longley, Bradtke and Vlahov in at the same age and the Australian program was rewarded ten fold by doing that... I think if you are gonna take an eleventh or twelfth man you should go with some young guys and give them some experience" - Brett Maher's thoughts on whether Ben Simmons should have been selected in the FIBA World Cup Boomers squad

Episode 30: Jacob Holmes & Rhys Carter discuss the NBL Points system

““At the start of the year the NBL players totalled 576 points, by the end of the year the same group of players were rating over 600, which was over the points allowed for the league. So no matter if there are better players to take an NBL players job or not at the end of the year there are players in our league that have to be kicked out for lower rated players”- - Rhys Carter summarises the reality of the NBL points system

Episode 29: Damian Martin
Perth Wildcats Captain
“I forgot a sock, didn't want to stand out and tell anyone I'd forgotten a sock. I thought I can get away with this, took off my jocks, wrapped them around my foot and taped it up with some ankle tape. I trained, thought I'd got away with it but afterwards I forgot and took my shoe off in the locker room, the whole team saw and they have never let me live it down" - Damian Martin says an embarrassing memory from training with the Australian Basketball team.

Episode 28: Shane Heal
Australian Boomers Legend
“The trash Gary Payton was saying to me, it was laughable, like I’m going to kill you after the game… literally, just silly stuff. I guess when I asked if there was a hole in ‘the Glove’ he didn’t appreciate it” - Shane Heal sharing Trash Talking stories of when he went head to head with Gary Payton in the Olympics.

Episode 27: Darryl McDonald
All-Time NBL Steals Leader
“After my second year with the Tigers Lindsay retires, Drewey retires, Copes and Bradtke went on to Brisbane and Chris Anstey had come in. I hadn’t talked to anybody and nobody came and spoke to me so I signed a deal with Wollongong”- Darryl McDonald shares how he agreed to play with Wollongong Hawks prior to winning his two NBL Titles with the Melbourne Tigers

Episode 26: Mark Bradtke
The NBL's Greatest Big Man
“He was trying to find out how much power did he have, he’d try things and no one would say no to him, I think if he had an older player or coach to guide him through those things he would have developed into a different player. He’d take off his seatbelt and run up and down a private plan during take-off but no one would say anything so of course he would think oh well I will try something else next time to see where the boundaries are” - Mark Bradtke discusses his time playing with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia.

Episode 25: Cal Bruton
NBL Hall of Famer
“It was a different time… the worst racism often came from the white american imports, one said I thought I left America to get away from you n*ggas… that was when the fight broke out, and the league took a bit of a stand after that” - Cal Bruton discusses racism in the early days of the NBL.

Episode 24: Shawn Redhage
Perth Wildcats
“You look at the growth of the A League and stars that they’ve been able to bring in… a few years ago basketball and soccer were on an pretty even playing field and now they’ve just signed a very impressive TV deal. If we can get more guys like James Ennis into the league I think that's a move in the right direction” - Shawn Redhage believes having a “Marquee Player” rule in the NBL would significantly help take the game to new heights.

Episode 23: Leon Trimmingham
Sydney Kings Legend
“My best dunk was against Chris Munk, the whole game he was talking trash to the whole team, saying he had an NBA resume and he was going to destroy the NBL, so I went up, switched to the left and I caught… after that dunk he didn’t say another word“ - Leon Trimmingham discussing his favorite dunk in the NBL.

Episode 22: Rob Beveridge
Perth Wildcats Championship Coach
“He was one of the most driven players I’ve ever seen and highly misunderstood. He’d push people to the ground but that was because he was a winner and he’d only accept 100%… he felt you had to dive on the loose balls, you had to get after rebounds and run the floor, that’s who he was” - Rob Beveridge speaking about the drive behind Andrew Bogut during his time coaching him.

Episode 21: Brian Goorjian
The Greatest Coach in NBL history
"Never say never, (The Boomers) would be a nice thing to be a part of… I don’t know where they are going to finish but I look at it and it’s a very, very, very good team. Australia finally has not only that mix of NBA players but NBA players who love to represent their country” - Brian Goorjian when asked if we would ever see him back in charge of the Australia National team.

Hyping the Hoopla
Ep. 6 2013/14 NBL Season Preview Show
Every hiring and firing since the end of the 2013 season.

A team by team analysis of every roster prior to season tip-off

Adelaide 36ers Feature Podcast
with Willie Farley
“Youth seems to be a much bigger part of the NBL’s decision making. But look at the New Zealand Breakers, they’ve got a wide spread age bracket and thats the reason they’re back to back to back champions” - Willie Farley thinks the NBL’s decision to focus on youth has hurt the talent level of the league

Episode 20: Brock Motum
NBA Draft Prospect
"Teams speak about what they're looking forward, different teams are looking for different things. I'm 6'11, I'm a shooter so I model my game similar to a Ryan Anderson (from New Orleans)... I think that position is something the NBA are looking to bring in more of" - Brock Motum discusses where he would fit in the NBA

Episode 19: Acie Earl
Former Sydney King & Iowa Hawkeye Legend
“I just never really got along with him. I would love to have a conversation with him now and say what we’re you thinking at that time because I was really keyed in, I was really bought in to playing for the Kings but he was too young of a coach at the time” - Acie Earl discusses his relationship with then Sydney Kings coach Brett Brown

Episode 18: Ater Majok
LA Lakers Draft Pick
“I’m glad they announced me as being from the Gold Coast (Blaze) instead of UConn, I was actually more exciting to be announced from Australia because not many people have been able to represent Australia (in the NBA)” – Ater Majok takes us through what it was like being drafted by the LA Lakers.

Episode 17: Daniel Kickert
Australian Boomers
“It’s frustrating that I’ve never played in an NBL game, I’ve never played in front of family and friends in a professional level on home soil…. hopefully in the next few years” – Daniel Kickert on his goals to play in the NBL very soon.

Episode 16: Chuck Harmison
NBL General Manager
We’re working really hard right now on developing a champions league between their top two teams and our top two teams… and it could happen as early as next season” – Chuck Harmison on the NBL’s plans to expand into Asia

Episode 15: John Rillie (Part 2)
NBL Legend
“If myself, Reggie Miller and Ray Allen could go at it that would be interesting (anybody on an NBL level) Nah Shit NO!” – John Rillie on what players would put pressure on him in a three-point shoot out

Episode 14: John Rillie (Part 1)
NBL Legend
“I think we waste so much negative energy on what can’t happen instead of what is and where we can take it” – John Rillie regarding the current state of the NBL

Episode 13: Sedale Threatt (Part 2)
LA Lakers Legend
"Gary would say I'mma get 70 steals off you, but Jordan used to say little things to you like... The coach must be mad at you coz he put you on me, or I might go for my career high tonight" – Sedale Threatt sharing trash talking tales of Gary Payton and Michael Jordan

Episode 12: Sedale Threatt (Part 1)
LA Lakers Legend
“Hold up man, ya’ll stop talking and put the cuffs on the great Michael Jordan because if it was Sedale Threatt you’d have me with my head down on the back seat…. Stop talking and put the cuffs on him” – Sedale Threatt shares a story about the time he almost shared a prison cell with Michael Jordan

Episode 11: Derek Rucker
Future NBL Hall of Famer
Derek Rucker finished his NBL in the top ten all-time in scoring (7th), assists (4th), steals (4th) and three-point field goals made (5th). His 10.6 assists per game in 1994 is the highest season average ever and he holds the record for assists in a game with a mind boggling 24 dimes which is a record which may never be broken in the NBL.

Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast
Ep. 4 “Selling Ice to Eskimos”
We speak to Melbourne Marketer and Entrepreneur Pete Williams whose articles on how the NBL should be marketing itself was brought to attention by Andrew Bogut online

Episode 10: Simon Kerle
The Most Controversial NBL Player Ever
He averaged 14 points over 381 games and although he never won a NBL Championship or make a Boomers squad he will always be remembered as possibly the most HATED player in the NBL in the 1990's and early 2000's.

Hyping the Hoopla

LIVE PODCAST
"First Ever LIVE Australian Basketball Podcast"
Dream Team Vs Team USA Who Wins?

Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast
Ep. 3 "Dream On"
1. Why is Nathan Jawai not in the Boomers Olympic team?
2. Recap and Analysis of the Australian Under 17 Boys World Championships Silver Medal effort?
3. How will the Australian Boomers fare in the Olympics?
4. Does losing Andrew Bogut really matter to the Boomers medal hopes?

Episode 9: Willie Farley
Adelaide 36ers Legend

“Yes… because he has the skill on the court as well as off the court… he really thinks the game” – Willie Farley regarding if Brett Maher could have played in the NBA

Episode 8: Matthew Dellavedova
Australian Boomers“I think there is a bit of excitment over the NBL” – Matthew Dellavedova regarding how Aussie’s in college think about the NBL

Episode 7: Corey "Homicide" Williams
NBL & Streetball Legend

“The NBL is my NBA” – Corey Homicide Williams

We ask Homicide what NBL teams he’d like to play for, how NBL Legend Darryl “D-Mac” McDonald is remembered in NYC and who he’d pay money to see in the NBL.

Episode 6: Daryl Corletto
New Zealand Breakers
“When I went to say goodbye to the coaching staff Trevor Gleeson blatantly lied to my face, he called me disrespectful, dishonest and told me I wasn’t loyal… This guy had been (in Melbourne) for 3 weeks I’d been here for 14 years” – Daryl Corletto

Hyping the Hoopla Basketball Podcast
Ep. 1 "The Debut"
1. Trevor Gleeson is stood down by the Melbourne Tigers
2. How important is a coach in the NBL?
3. Does the NBL need a second team in Melbourne?
4. NBL Free Agent moves
and much more

Episode 5: Rob Rose
NBL Legend
“If Cam Tragardh is the leading scorer of this league… this league has a long way to come” – Rob Rose

Episode 4: Adris DeLeon
Gold Coast Blaze
2Hard2Guard is a Streetball Legend in New York City. We spoke to him about how it was growing up in the Dominican Republic and New York City, How he got his nickname, and asked him about his Streetball rivalries with Brandon Jennings, Sebastian Telfair and Corey “Homicide” Williams.

Episode 3: Mitch Creek
Adelaide 36ersMitch Creek, fresh from winning the Adelaide 36ers Defensive Player of the Year tells Aussie Hoopla why he thinks the NBL is a better place to develop then College. Why he made the decision to play in the NBL instead of heading to the USA.

Episode 2: Daniel Dillon
Melbourne Tigers“Your playing against some of the most talented guys from around the world. For me it just made me realise how many guys who aren’t in the nba, who are really talented, its such a fine line between those players and NBA players” – Daniel Dillon on playing for Milwaukee Bucks summer league team

Episode 1: Rhys Carter
Former Adelaide 36erListen to the debut of the Aussie Hoopla Podcast, this episode we speak to former Adelaide 36er, Australian Boomer and NBL Champion Rhys Carter about winning a gold medal with Andrew Bogut in the Junior World Championships as well as how a player transitions to the AIS, College, Europe and the NBL